Redwood

Nonprofit Issues:

Children & Youth, Job Training, Health, Cancer

Address:

71 Orphanage Rd Fort MitchellKY41017USA

Mission:

Redwood guides children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities to achieve independence and reach their highest potential throughout their lives, by providing enriching educational, therapeutic, and vocational services. At Redwood, children and adults flourish, prosper, and are empowered to achieve the quality of life they deserve.

Results:

Last year, Redwood empowered over 750 children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities to flourish, prosper and achieve the quality of life they deserve

Photos

3 hours of volunteer time for this nonprofit will...

Work in sheltered workshop, provide cooking instruction to young adults, read to children, perform administrative support, and complete many other tasks that are rewarding to the volunteer AND Redwood!

3 hours of volunteer time for this nonprofit will...

Work in sheltered workshop, provide cooking instruction to young adults, read to children, perform administrative support, and complete many other tasks that are rewarding to the volunteer AND Redwood!

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Reviews for Redwood

Redwood serves individuals with severe and multiple disabilities. As a board member I am constantly impressed with the way that the staff takes on big challenges and completes them successfully.

For example, in the past year Redwood has been accredited by CARF, a major undertaking that required the writing or re-writing of policy on every aspect of the agency from building maintenance to disaster recovery. This was done in 11 months in addition to all the normal day-to-day work.

In the very near future Redwood will begin to offer services under Medicaid's Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care program. This required obtaining a Certificate Of Need, developing new procedures, billing systems, and renovation to comply with hospital-like regulations for the treatment space. In addition, Electronic Medical Record-keeping will be introduced as a pilot program for moving all agency record-keeping (which is substantial) to electronic filing.

Every year Redwood improves its ability to deliver top-notch services in an efficient and effective way. I am proud to be a part of this great organization.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

The great results that Redwood achieves is the result of strategic planning that is relaunched every 3-4 years. The power of this planning activity is that the results are woven into every Redwood meeting and report. Having our goals in front of us every day virtually assures that they will be achieved.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Every agency has budget limitations, and Redwood is no different. Redwood needs an endowment that will support an even more dynamic future.

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

What is this organization's top short-term priority?

Open the PPEC program successfully.

What is its top priority in the long run?

Expand its impact beyond the local region.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2011

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1 previous review

Rating:
5 stars
October 26, 201010/26/2010

If agencies like Redwood did not "do whatever it takes" to help the disabled and their families, no one else would be there for them. The world would be a poorer place.
Redwood has programs for babies, for children and for adults. We literally have clients who have been receiving help from Redwood for over 40 years.
Through the many programs each of our clients has the opportunity to maximize their potential, and to socialize rather than be confined. Redwood provides another benefit that is an unintended consequence of their programs. While our clients are blossoming, their families are able to work or care for other children knowing that Redwood is caring for their disabled family member. This might be the only way that normalcy can come to a family struggling with a disability.
It is especially gratifying to see that Redwood not only provides these beneficial services for the community, but also does it in an absolutely top notch manner.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

my role as member of the Board of Trustees for over 25 years.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

help them find the funds to continue the good work and to grow the numbers of people they can help. In particular there are always facility improvements that are necessary, but distract from our mission. Currently there is a need to replace the original roof on the 1977 addition that has been cared for long beyond its normal life expectancy.

As a parent of a client served, as well as a professional with expertise in this field, I would not have my daughter attending any other agency. She is well cared for, happy, and is very a productive member of the community. The staff is well educated and their goal for each client is for the greatest growth of each.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Hire more staff.

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1 previous review

Rating:
5 stars
October 5, 201010/05/2010

1 person found this review helpful

My daughter, Natasha, has been attending Redwood for over five years now. She dearly loves "going to work." Her days consist of working on the computer to sharpen her skills, which have progressed a great deal. She has made many friends and learned to interact with others, also well as gaining a great deal of independence.
The staff at Redwood are remarkable, becoming family, not just workers.
Natasha and I have only lived in the area for close to six years. Finding a day program was a major concern for me with our move. We toured several different facilities but knew we had found the perfect place with Redwood.
If it were not for Redwood, I couldn't attend nursing school. Even on my days off, it allow me to have time to rest and recharge. Not only has Redwood been of benefit for Natasha but I've also made several wonderful friends. I am so thankful to each and everyone there. The dedication to their clients is remarkable.

In 1983 my husband and I walked into Redwood carrying our 2 year old son Bowen not knowing what to expect. Bowen had a traumatic birth resulting in severe cerebral palsy and all that comes with it. Seizures, vision impairment, non verbal, total reliance on caretakers for all personal needs, the list goes on and on. Little did we know we had started the process of adopting Redwood into our family and Redwood has started adopting us into their family. We commuted between Cincinnati and Kentucky for 5 years because there were no programs in Cincinnati with the services Redwood provided. When Bowen was 7 we made the big move across the Ohio River and haven't looked back. Bo is now 29 and is a daily participant in Redwood's Adult Services program. Redwood has enabled Bowen to be the wonderful young man he is, always viewing him as an individual, treating him with respect, dignity and love.
In 1990 I was asked to head up the Parent Group and serve as a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1992 I was selected as the Board President and continue to serve on the Board of Trustees, Governance Council and Program Council. The last 18 years have been years of change on every level for Redwood. The ability of the agency to remain fluid and accepting of change has allowed services to flow to those most in need and the most difficult to serve.
In closing, I can't imagine where my family would be without Redwood.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I just have to look at my son Bowen . Bowen is a shining example of Redwood's mission and accomplishments. I'm very proud of him and know he wouldn't be the person he is without Redwood.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Devote staff and board resources to encourage families to be involved with Redwood by developing a marketing plan targeting families and caretakers.

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

How did you learn about this organization?

Through a friend

What is this organization's top short-term priority?

Currently Redwood is working to establish a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Program. (PPEC) PPEC will further Redwood's mission allowing it to reach the most medically fragile children, providing them with stimulating, quality, therapeutic programming and allow families to be productive members of the community. This comes at a high cost. Start up costs needed for remodeling and purchasing materials to establish the program is approxmately $84,500.00

What is its top priority in the long run?

To establish ongoing, secure funding to further Redwood's mission.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have been a member of Redwood's Strategic Planning Committee for four years and a member of its Board of Overseers for more than a year. Redwood staff and volunteers are among the most committed and passionate people I have ever worked with. They take their mission very seriously, pay attention to detail, and work tirelessly to discover and meet the needs of every client and family. They are good stewards of the resources provided to them by donors and funders. I feel privileged to be associated with Redwood.

When my daughter was born with special needs everyone recommended Redwood. She attended the early childhood intervention programs and now as an adult attends the adult program. I don't know what we would do without them. As an adult it was hard to find a place for her to go every day and feel like she is contributing something. Redwood did not hesitate to take her and makes her feel included in anything she wants to do. Everyone there is so kind and respectful of her. None of her physical disabilities phase any of them. It is truly an amazing place!!!

For years the Ft. Mitchell, KY, exit off of I75 was just something I drove past on my way to and from the airport. I kept my fingers crossed that nothing would cause me to have to take a Kentucky exit. After all, I was from Ohio and who knows what would happen if I took a Kentucky exit. Little did I know that the Ft. Mitchell exit would one day lead to a fantastic life for my daughter, Taylor. Little did I know that the Ft. Mitchell exit led to Redwood.
It's hard to find quality day and after school care for any child. It's even harder finding it for a multi-handicapped child. We were lucky to find day and after school care in Ohio for Taylor for eleven years. But we ran out of luck the summer of 1996. Taylor needed more and more help with personal care and traditional summer camps would not accept her. My fingers were sore from dialing, my throat was sore from begging, and my heart wa sore from rejection. Then I called Redwood. And Redwood said, "Come on down!" The next two years sped along. We lived in Ohio where Taylor attended grade school and after school care. Taylor spent summers attending Redwood summer camp in Kentucky. Things were too good to continue. When Taylor reached middle school we discovered there was NO after school care for anyone. So, I crossed my fingers, I crossed my toes, I crossed my legs, I crossed my eyes, and I dialed Redwood to see if they had after school care. And, once again, Redwood said, "Come on down!" And we did. Only this time we moved to Kentucky. Yes, a family born and raised in Ohio actually pulled up roots and moved to Kentucky. Just so Taylor could attend Redwood.
For eight years Taylor attended the School Age Program. In 2006 Taylor turned 21 and graduated to the Adult Independence Program which she continues to attend.
Taylor has received so much from Redwood that I felt I needed to give back. So in 2005 I joined the Redwood Board as a Trustee and when I took early retirement from Procter & Gamble signed on as a volunteer.
Now everyday Taylor and I take the Ft. Mitchell exit to Redwood. Redwood - a place where Taylor can blossom and thrive; where her special needs are seen, not as obstacles, but just part of every day living; where she can walk down the halls and say "hi" to everyone and have everyone say "hi" back; where she is encouraged to become the best that she, as an individual, can be; where her achievements are acknowledged and praised; where she is accepted; where she is loved.

How frequently have you been involved with the organization?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Our son, Ryan started at Redwood in 1987 when he was 5 weeks old in Early Intetevnention. Three years later Samuel started in EI. Samuel is now back in the Adult Services program and loves it. He is so happy to go there in the mornings to see all of his friends and staff. He tells everyone that he works at Redwood. He even wants to go there on my days off school. I am thankful we have such a wonderful place like Redwood so close to us. It serves the needs of so many different individuals.

My sister was born with CP in 1967. Back then, the doctors simply encouraged my parents to admit her to an institution and let her live her life there. This enraged Mom and Dad and they set out to find a place that would challenge my sister to the fullest extent of her abilities. For many years, they saw her through a series of special schools and special teachers. It wasn't until she turned 21 that they found Redwood. It was there that they discovered a place that allowed my sister not only to be challenged, but that allowed her to grow to the fullest extent of her abilities. My sister is healthy and happy and spends her day in a loving, caring, positive environment where she is looked after and guided to be the best that she can be. Mom and Dad always tell whoever will listen that they view Redwood as a God-send and that if it wasn't for that organization and the wonderful people who work there that they do not know what they would have done.
A wonderful side-bar to this story is that Redwood also has a department devoted to childhood development. We were fortunate to have my niece and nephew be able to attend the daycare there. We are all very happy that Redwood is able to provide such a great place for so many members of our family to feel safe and loved.

Post Glover Resistors, Inc. has been in partnership with Redwood since January 2009. Redwood provides clerical support to us by assembling our product binders in the Work Activity Center. Our binders consist of approximately 40 separate pages, and tab inserts between sections. Redwood is responsible for assembling the pages and tabs in the correct order. The staff at Redwood has also been very accommodating in that they provide pick-up from and delivery back to our location. We are very satisfied with our partnership with Redwood and plan to continue said partnership well into the future.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

that we were given a tour of the Work Activity Center prior to our initial agreement with Redwood. This was very helpful to us in planning out how the assembly of our sales binders would flow through the center.

Redwood has truly established an organization dedicated to children and adult with disabilities to assist them in living a quality-led life. They have been doing this since 1953 and have been a beaming light in northern Kentucky for those that need their services.
I have seen this in my own life through my two daughters. Since March, my 2 year old twin daughters have been enrolled in Redwood and they have fostered their growth and development through speech therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental intervention. My one daughter has autism and I believe Redwood has been instrumental in her growth in communication and social skills. She has grown beyond what she could have without Redwood. Their therapists, teachers, and assistants are top-notch and some of the most caring people I have ever had the privilege knowing.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

in both my daughters excelling beyond what I thougt possible in such a short amount of time.The results are unbelievaable. Redwood gave my autistic daughter a way to communicate to us and THAT is priceless.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I can't say enough good things about Redwood. We love this organization and the people who for redwood.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

The caring attitudes with both my daughters. Especially the one with autism. she can be extremely difficult and the therapists never made me feel like she was ALOT. Never. The teachers accommodate a special diet and implemented what I was trying to do.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Blast off in northern kentucky. This is the first time I felt comfortable leaving my child in someone else's care. I'm a picky, overcontrolling mommy and they loved my kids. truly loved on them and made them excel.

Ways to make it better...

It couldn't have been better

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

is that they need more funds to keep doing what theyre doing. This community has thrived because of what redwood does for adults and children facing disabilities.